Press reports about inns (see also a separate document for the White Hart)

Exeter Flying Post, 18 September 1800

LONDON INN and TAVERN

JOHN HANCOCK, servant to the late James Fynes, Esq. respectfully informs the Nobility, Gentry, Gentlemen Travellers, and the Public in general, that he has taken and entered on his late MASTER?s HOUSE, in the Town aforesaid, which he has fitted up and furnished with the best of Beds, genuine Wines, Spirits, and every other possible necessary to accommodate in the genteelest Manner those who shall be pleased to honor him with their Company; and he shall ever think it his Duty, as well as Interest, to conduct himself so as to merit their Support.

N.B. Good Stall Stabling.

Exeter Flying Post 17 February 1814

MORETONHAMPSTEAD, DEVON

TO be SOLD by Tender, the fee simple and inheritance of that substantial Dwelling House and well-accustomed Inn, known by the sign of the PUNCH BOWL, with a brew-house, stable, and all other convenient outhouses; desirably situated in the town of Moretonhampstead, and now in the occupation of Mr Philip Pethybridge.

Also, a convenient DWELLING HOUSE and SHOP adjoining the above, with the appurtenances thereto belonging now in the occupation of Mr John Nosworthy.

Likewise, a very commodious DWELLING HOUSE and SHOP, adjoining the latter, with a candle and soap-house, stable, linhay, and every other convenient and necessary out-building for carrying on the business of a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler; and wherein it has been carried on for a great number of years, with considerable success; and is now in the occupation of Mr Geo. Harvey.

The premises have been lately put in a state of good repair, and there is also a large garden attached to them, part of which is apportioned to each house.

The respective tenants will shew the premises; and further particulars may be known of Mr Savery, Bovey Tracey, to whom tenders in writing may be sent until the second day of April next, which, as well as other letters, must be post paid.

Dated 14th Feb 1814.

Exeter Flying Post, 3 December 1818

White Horse Inn, & Excise Office, MORETONHAMPSTEAD

Samuel Cann, impressed with gratitude to his friends for the distinguished support he hitherto has received, returns his best thanks for the same, and respectfully informs them, Commercial Gentlemen, and others, he has recently laid in an excellent Assortment of GENUINE WINES and SPIRITS; also, the best of Beds, a good Larder, and every other requisite for their accommodation.

Neat Post Chaises, good Horses, and careful Drivers.

November 27th, 1818

Exeter Flying Post 8 September 1880

Mr A.C. LOVEYS has received instructions from the Trustees under the will of the late Mr John Dayment to SELL, by Public Auction, at the WHITE HART HOTEL, Moretonhampstead, on Tuesday the 28th day of September, 1880, at Three p.m. precisely ..the undermentioned valuable FREEHOLD HOUSES AND PREMISES AND TWO LEASEHOLD COTTAGES

Lot 1. All that Messuage and Tenement called the 'Punch Bowl' Inn, together with the Stable, Skittle Alley, Piggery, Brew House, Offices, Garden, &c, situate at the rear thereof, and belonging thereto, and let at the annual rental of £16.

[also the houses to the east, and other property in the town]

(undated) Exeter Flying Post 1858

DEATH FROM EXCESSIVE DRINKING [at the Union Inn]

On Thursday, the 17th inst., an Inquisition was taken before T. Gribble, Esq., one of the Coroners of the County, at the White Horse Inn, in the town of Moretonhampstead, on view the body of Matthew Frost, aged 58, whose death occurred under the following circumstances:- It appeared from the evidence, that the deceased was much addicted to drinking spirituous liquors; that on Saturday, the 29th ult., the deceased was at the Union Inn, in Moreton, kept by Mr John Steer; Mr Wm. Clampitt, a farmer of Chagford, Mr John Harvey, maltster, the innkeeper, and others being present. The deceased was boasting of the quantity of liquor he had drunk during the day. He was much intoxicated. Clampitt offered the deceased to pay for a pint of gin if he (the deceased) would drink it within two minutes, to which he acceded, and the pint of gin, being readily supplied by the innkeeper, the deceased very imprudently drank, and soon after fell from off the chair on which he had been sitting, insensible on the floor. This took place about 3 or 4 o?clock in the afternoon. He was then lifted back and seated on the floor by the window bench, where he was permitted to remain for several hours in a perfect state of stupor. Mr. Bridgman, solicitor, deposed that, in consequence of what he had heard, he was induced to go to the Union Inn, between 10 and 11 o?clock at night, and there he saw the deceased, he was then seated on the window bench, resting his head on his arms leaning on the table. Mr. B., with assistance, lifted the deceased upright, when frothy matter was seen to ooze from his mouth and nostrils, and seeing the deceased to be in precarious condition, urged the innkeeper to send for a medical man. Sometime afterwards the deceased was taken up stairs, and put in bed. His pulse by this time had become almost motionless. Mr Street, the surgeon, being sent for, was promptly in attendance, and employed every means to restore animation; and by the following day (Sunday) the deceased became a little revived, and every attention being paid to him, he on Wednesday morning was enabled to get down stairs, though much exhausted, and after taking some refreshment, which the landlady procured him, he contrived, by the assistance of a couple of walking-sticks, to walk to his own house in the town. On the Friday following, the deceased had a relapse, and Mr Nosworthy, surgeon, was called in, who administered to his wants, and in about two or three days he became better, but still in a desponding state; afterwards, however, the deceased grew worse; medical aid proved of no avail, and he languished until Tuesday morning, the 15th inst. (having survived nearly 17 days) when death terminated his sufferings. Mr. Nosworthy, surgeon, who gave evidence on the inquest, considered that the deceased died of an ulcerated stomach, which, from the evidence before adduced, he was decidedly of opinion was caused by drinking of the gin. The Coroner briefly summed up the evidence, and the jury, after having consulted together, returned a verdict: 'That the deceased died of excessive drinking of gin' and the jury are of opinion that there is great moral blame attached to Mr W. Clampitt, in instigating the deceased to drink the gin, and likewise to Mr Steer, the innkeeper, for not endeavouring to prevent the deceased from so doing, and for suffering him to remain in the room so long after it had happened, before calling in medical aid. [Note: Matthew Frost was buried on Feb 20 1858 aged 58}